Fast Friends

My friend, Becky, and I thought it would be fun to get Becky's niece, Emilia, (above, left) and Reese (above right) together for a Play Date. Emilia will be 5 in June and has a brother, who will be 3 in August, and a baby sister.

We first went to lunch, and Reese was a little shy. Emilia's brother has some food allergies, just like Ryan, so the girls were comparing notes as to what their brothers could or couldn't eat. However, by the time we were finished eating, she started warming up. We then went to Play-a-Lot and basically had the entire space to ourselves. Reese and Emilia soon became good friends and had a lot of fun playing together. By the time we left, they were hugging and Reese talked all the way home about wanting another playdate with her new friend!

I should mention that I first meant Becky in Fort Wayne, over 32 years ago, when both of our husbands worked at UPS. We moved to Indy (their home town) and shortly thereafter they moved back here. Then, after a few years they moved to Muncie, Granger, finally returning to live in the Geist area until Larry's retirement a few years before Stan. Now they live near Noblesville.

Kelly was just a couple of weeks old when we met and Becky's children were 3 and 5. Now we both have 2 year old granddaughters. We plan to take the 2 year-olds and get them together - soon! I'm sure we will have to plan our outing around naptime - not the kiddies - ours!

Dancin' in Branson!

Last week Stan and I went to Branson, Mo. We stayed at the Big Cedar Wilderness Resort, which was about 10 miles south of town. We were very close to Arkansas, so one day we drove over to Eureka Springs, a historic little town much like Galina, Illinois. While in Branson, we also saw 4 shows: "Spirit of the Dance," (Irish dancing), "Broadway Celebration," a group of 6 brothers a la "Straight No Chaser" called "SIX," and "The Twelve Irish Tenors." While we enjoyed them all, I think our favorites were the Irish Tenors and the Broadway show. I wanted to take an Irish Tenor home for Holly. They were so cute and delightful!

On the way home, we stayed in St Louis and enjoyed a nice evening with our niece, Emily. All in all, it was a very fun trip!

Busted!

Today, after church, the entire family (except for Stan, who had to work at an Indians game) went out for breakfast. Kristy and Joel wanted to go to the Mall and do some shopping, so I brought Reese and Ryan back to my house. On the 15-minute trip from the restaurant to my house, Reese talked continuously. I mean, she hardly stopped long enough to take a breath. At one point she talked about visiting her great-grandparents, Grandma and Grandpa Young, this week. She talked about playing at Grandma's house and helping Grandma with a puzzle. Poor little Ryan, I think he was tired of her talking so much that he piped in with, "I play, too. I play, too!" to let me know that he played at Grandma Young's house, also!

On another note, Reese apparently was impressed by the food that both Grandma Young and Joel's Grandmother, Grandma Sheets, prepares when the family comes to visit. She said that her Grandmas make the food, but they have to go to the store to get the ingredients. I was impressed that she was putting this all together...you go to the store, buy the ingredients and then make the food. She said Grandma Young and Grandma Sheets make the food, they don't buy the food at the store. I guess what she meant was, they make things from stratch, instead of buying prepared foods at the store. Oops! I guess I had better quit serving things from the deli containers. From now on, I'll at least put them in my own serving bowl and make it look like I went to the store and bought the ingredients to make the food...not just buy it already prepared!

Heaven Made

Saturday, Stan and I traveled to South Bend for a wedding at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the Universtiy of Notre Dame. The wedding was for Alisa, the daughter of one of Stan's cousins, and her fiance, Kevin. Alisa is a graduate of Notre Dame and Kevin is a Purdue Alum. The wedding was absolutely beautiful and was followed by a wonderful reception. Here are a few pictures. Unfortunately, I didn't get a picture of the groom!


Stan and I before the ceremony

The inside of the church

Alisa arriving for the ceremony

Alisa and her "Man of Honor" - younger brother, and best friend, Jason

Congratulations, Alisa and Kevin!

Gym-Dandy!

I remember when Kelly started Preschool back in the fall of 1980, all parents

had to attend a number of educational classes about learning, parenting, etc. One thing we were told has always stuck in my mind. Mrs. Erne, one of the teachers, talked about how play was so important to kids. Not just fun, but through their fun they were actually learning. To quote her, "kid's play is their work." So today, when I went to Play-a-Lot with Reese and Ryan, and saw this sign, I had to take a picture!

Play-a-Lot is a kid's heaven. It is a large area inside "Pinheads," a new Bowling Alley/Game Arcade/Playarea very close to Kristy's house. Reese and Ryan were instantly drawn to the large MacDonald-like playground and spent their bulk of the time on that. Ryan went all the way up to the top level and went down the enclosed, twisty slide. Reese was too scared of the slide and said that maybe when she was 10 she would try it. Ryan has no fear and went down so many times we couldn't keep track!

Ryan - running from one thing to another!

Reese had a great time, too. She loved the climbing, but there were also other play areas - a corner with a kid's kitchen and play food, tables with games, and a small rock climbing wall. Reese and Ryan both tried that and guess who liked it best??? Ryan!

Reese - stopping just long enough for a quick picture!

Earlier in the day, I had gone with Grace and Clare to see Grace at her gym class. Kelly and Keith had enrolled her in a children's fitness facility called "My Gym." It is another toddler's heaven! There are so many different climbing gyms and two instructors who lead the kids in different songs and activities. Grace seems to love every minute, although she likes to "do her own thing." She definitely has a mind of her own! The most important thing is that she loves the gym and has a great time while she is there. I'm sure as she gets a little older she will start listening. Right now she wants to do what she wants to do!!! As Kelly said, it has to be her idea.

I know it is a little stressful for her Mom and Dad when she won't do what the instructors want her to do. I think it's great she has a mind of her own...then again, I don't have to live with her 24/7!!! We love you, Gracie Girl!

Grace on one of the climbing gyms with Mommy

One of Grace's favorite things was the ball pit! This was at the end of the class and I think she was getting a little tired by then!

Who could forget our darling Baby Clare? I think she enjoyed getting out, too.

It won't be long before she is running around and climbing and wanting to join her big sister on the play gyms!

I can't vouch for the grandkiddies, but Grandpa and I were certainly worn out after our day

with them at the gym!